Jeff Bezos is set to tie the knot with Lauren Sanchez today, and one request on their wedding invite has caused intrigue.
The couple's wedding week in Venice has turned into the ultimate billionaire spectacle - complete with celebrity chaos, and local protests.
The billionaire Amazon founder and the former journalist are reportedly set to tie the knot this week in Venice, with a lavish celebration bringing out the world’s biggest stars, per the Mirror.
But a leaked wedding invite has already caused a stir, showing a cartoon-filled design with butterflies, doves, canals, gondolas, and feathers - and one notable request: “We’re excited for you to join us! We have one early request: please, no gifts.”
Instead, the invite revealed: “Donations on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard the city’s irreplaceable cultural heritage, to CORILA to restore the lagoon habitats that protect Venice’s future, and to Venice International University to support research and education for sustainable solutions.”
It ends with: “This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories. Our hope is that through these efforts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come.”
Fans were quick to mock the design, with comments like: “Wow! Did they just send an evite for their multi million dollar wedding?” and: “Wow what an ugly announcement/invitation. With all the money he has they could have at least done something pretty and classy."
Another joked: “Was the invitation made in microsoft paint?”
Others noted that not having gifts is a good idea, because what do you possibly buy a billionaire?
But it’s not just the invite causing drama. Venice residents and business owners are fuming over the chaos caused by the couple’s pre-wedding festivities.
Local business owners claimed canals were shut down and bridges closed off, leaving tourists stranded and forcing last-minute cancellations.
“We had a party of clients booked for Thursday night. But they were unable to get through to us because the bridges were all closed off,” one business owner said, per the Daily Mail.
“Despite them having booking, the police wouldn’t let them pass. It was party of five Americans, and they had booked an hour and a half for $100 each and so we had to cancel. The party involved was on a tight schedule and couldn’t rebook so we will have to refund them and so we have lost money.”
They added that police on jet skis turned people away, stating: “There was no real notification from the council that the canal would be closed,” and added: “I don't begrudge [Jeff and Lauren] for getting married, but this has cost us money and of all the places in Venice they had to choose the one by us.”
Meanwhile, protesters in St Mark’s Square held signs reading: “We are the 99 percent we have the power,” and “the planet burns,” while others waved Extinction Rebellion flags, accusing Bezos of “paying a 1.1% true tax rate” and demanding “IF YOU CAN RENT VENICE FOR YOUR WEDDING YOU CAN PAY MORE TAX.”
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Despite the protests, the celebrations kicked off in full billionaire style with a star-studded welcome party at the Madonna dell Orto cloisters on Thursday evening.
A-list guests, including Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ivanka Trump, descended upon Venice for the festivities.